Offset disk harrow



Sept. 18, 1951 w. R. MCKAY OFFSET msx HARRow Filed March 21, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 1 Sept. 1s, 1951 w. R. MCKAY 2,568,082

OFFSET msx HARRow Filed March 21, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 2 IN V EN TOR Patented Sept. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OFFSET-DISK HARROW William R. McKay, Compton, Calif. l Application March 21, 1947, Serial No. 736,333

2 Claims. l

This invention relates to offset disc harrows, and has among its salient objects: To provide certain structural improvements in the frames which carry the discs whereby to secure greater torsional strength and rigidity and thus minimize axial distortion or misalignment of the gangs of discs .carried thereby. This is important if work of uniformity of dep-th and alinement is to be had therefrom. l

To provide a construction in which connecting and control members between the different gangs or groups of harrows, not only permit of a maximum adjustment from parallelism to angularity of the different gangs or groups, but which give a stabilizing condition for the outer lends thereof.

To provide a construction and arrangement whereby the hitching means can be adjusted along said main frame, and whereby Vto make possible different and variable draft angles.

- To provide in a mechanism or implement of the character referred to a construction and arrangement of frame structure wherein the discs can be set for either right or left hand cut, as may be desired, and wherein the frame structures proper are symmetrical to the horizontal center line thereof and can be reversed as may be desired in order to get the best and most convenient operation conditions.

To provide in combination with such a construction and arrangement, hydraulic mechanism with means for mounting and connecting it with the frame connecting and control members, whereby the greatest convenience, efficiency and accuracy can be had in the operation thereof.

Other advantages will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention, taken with the accompanying two sheets of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment thereof, and in Which:

Figure l is a plan View of a disc harrow embodying my invention, showing the two gangs or groups of discs in parallel relationship;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the two gangs or groups of disc harrows adjusted to the maximum angle of adjustment for offset operation;

Figure 3 is an end el-evation looking at the right hand end of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the assembly taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my invention as here illustrated includes a frame structure of rectangular form made of spaced tubular side members 5, 5, connected rigidly at their ends by end members 6, 6, securely welded thereto, and intermediate cross members l, '1, also rigidly Welded or otherwise secured thereto.

Depending from the connecting cross members 5, 6, and "I, "l, are bearing or bracket members, as 8, 8, which are rigid with said cross or connecting members, and Vare provided with bearings, as 9, 9, in their lower ends for the yaxles or shafts I0, I0, on which the discs I I, II, are mounted in spaced relationship, as clearly illustrated. These discs are preferably secured rigidly to their shafts to turn therewith, with suitable bearings in the brackets 8, 8, for said shafts.

It will be noted that each frame, as here shown, has two groups or gangs of discs therein. Any length of frame and number of gangs of discs can be provided for, as conditions may require.

Connecting and control members for the separate frames are shown, and include two levers or members I2 and I3, pivotally connected at their outer ends by means of bearing shafts or pins, as I4, I4, in bearing supports I5, I5, securely welded in vertical positions to the cross members l, l, as more clearly indicated in Fig. 4, where one of said pivotal connections is shown in longitudinal sectional view. The pivot pins I4, I4, are provided at their lower ends with washers and cotter pins, as designated at I6. Connecting members I2 are preferably double, with two spaced members, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, and the end of connecting member I3 is pvotally connected therebetween,

as at I'I, with connecting bolt and spacer I8, as,

seen in section, Fig. 4. Said connecting members are provided with plural holes as I9, for adjustment purposes, as will be readily understood from Figs. l and 2.

Said connecting and control members or levers I2 and I3 are provided at their pivotal ends, on the undersides thereof, with short sleeves or bushings, as 20, 2D, welded thereto, to bear upon the bearing supports I5, as will lbe clearfrom Fig. 4. It will also be noted that said bearing pins I4, I4, are welded to the connecting levers I2 and I3, as at I 2 and I3', respectively, thus making for a more rigid construction.

Two ends of -said frame members are pivotally and adjustably connected by having a member 2| welded or otherwise secured along the inner frame member 5, as seen in Figs. l and 2, while the corresponding end of the other frame member is provided with a member 22, secured thereto, as by Welding, with a connecting member 23, pivotally connected with the member 22, and

with slot and pin or bolt connections 23', with the member 2|. This connection makes it possible to adjust one frame member longitudinally relative to the other for the purpose of adjustilflsthe discs with relation to each other, that is, so that the disc-s in one gang or group can be positioned to cut between the cuts made by the discs of the other gang or group of discs.

Hitching means for pulling said harrow are provided, and include two clamps 2'4 and 25, clamped around the forward frame member 5, by bolts 26, 26, whereby said clamping means can be adjusted along said frame member, as indicated in light broken lines on Fig. 2, for changing the line of draft, as may be desired. Between the clamps 24 and 25 is pivotally mounted a hinged member 21, on a hinge pin 28, in the outer ends of said clamps 24 and 25, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. Said hinge member 27 is of double plate construction, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4, with a tongue 29 pivotally connected therebetween, as at 3D, and adapted to swing from a straight forward position, to an angular position, or around to right angles, with holding pin 3| to be inserted through said plates and said tongue in the manner indicated, and as is well understood. In Fig. 2 said tongue is shown swung to a slight angular position, and in Fig. 1 it is shown swung to a right angle position with the double hinge member 21 raised to vertical position, thus positioning said tongue parallel with the frame members 5. This same position is shown in the sectional view in Fig. 4.

As a convenient and efficient means for positively moving and adjusting said frame members, with their discs, relative to each other, as from parallel relationship, seen inV Fig. l, to an angular position, seen in Fig. 2, IY provide hydraulic means, including a power cylinder 32, having a piston and piston rod 33 operating therein, with the outer end of said piston rod connected with connecting member or lever l2, as at 34, clearly shown in all views. Said cylinder 32' has provision at each end for connecting a source of hydraulic fluid, said connecting means being designated 35 and 3S. The tubes for carrying the hydraulic fluid from the tractor are not shown, but it is known that most tractors have hydraulic power as a part thereof for the operation of other implements or machines connected therewith and pulled thereby, and controlled therefrom. Said cylinder 32 is pivotally connected, as at 31 with the forward frame member 5. as clearly indicated in all views.

Thus I have provided a disc harrow having rectangular frames made of tubular side members, rigidly connected in the manner indicated to avoid possible torsion of the frame, with depending bearing members therefrom through which the shafts or axles for the cutter discs are mounted, said frame members being pivotally connected at one end with toggle levers conneoting their free ends, andwith hydraulic means for adjusting said frame members relative to each other, and while I have shown one practical embodiment of the invention, I am aware that changes in the details of construction and arrangement can be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and I do not limit the invention to these details, except as I may be limited by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. An off-set disc harrow including two rectangular frames of rigid construction, each frame having two spaced side members with connecting members at their opposite ends and intermediate their ends rigidly secured thereto to prevent torsion in said frames, supporting bearing members rigidly secured to said connecting members and depending therefrom with bearings in their lower ends, a shaft through said bearings in each frame, cutter discs on said shafts in spaced relationship, to function as a disc harrow, means pivotally and adjustably connecting two frames at one end, with their opposite ends free, toggle members onv top of the connecting members intermediate the ends of said side members for connecting said free ends of said rectangular frames for movement to and from each other in different angular positions, hydraulic means connected with one of said toggle members near its anchored end for moving them to and from each other to change their relative positions, and draft means adjustable on one of said frame members for hitching said disc harrow.

2. In a disc harrow of the character shown and described, apair of rectangular frames, each consisting of two spaced members, connected with cross bars welded thereto at their ends and intermediate their ends, to prevent torsion in said frames, depending supporting and bearing members from said cross bars, said members having bearings in their lower ends, shafts through said bearings, cutter discs in spaced relationship on said shafts, said frames being pivotally connected at one end, with means thereat for adjusting said frames lengthwise relative to each other, toggle members connecting the free ends of said frames, by means of and on top of said cross bars, hydraulic means connected with one of said toggle members for power moving the free ends of said frames and their cutter discs to and from each other into different angular relationship, and hitching means adjustably mounted on the forward frame for pulling said disc harrow.

WILLIAM R. MCKAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATS PATENTS Number Name Date 1,824,011 Enzenauer et al. Sept. 22, 1931 1,895,831 West Jan. 31, 1933 2,151,918 Ingram Mar. 28, 1939 2,303,320 Benjamin et al Dec. 1, 1942 2,334,455 Thomas Nov. 16, 1943 2,335,112 Fulks Nov. 23, 1943 2,404,252 Rutter Julyl, 1946 2,406,866 Thompson Sept. 3, 1946 

